The electric company
Endesa is carrying
out pilot trials in Barcelona and Sevilla to permit the connection of Internet
via the electric network.
The use of Power Line Communications technology, "PLC" facilitates the
transmission of voice and data via the electric cables, converting any
point in a potential connection to all the telecommunications services.
The tests are being carried out with
Ascom
technology apparatus at the Olympic Port of Barcelona and with components
from the Valencian technology firm DS2 in Sevilla, having obtained transmission
speeds of up to 10 Mbps.
The territorial expansion plan for the new service is not known.
In the Balearics, this will have to be offered via the infrastructure of
Gesa,
a company that belongs to Endesa, responsible for the exclusive generation,
transport and distribution of electric energy. The new service will
represent an alternative to the high cost involved in the optic fibre cable
and will permit a high velocity access from any home that has an electricity
supply.
Iberdrola, the other large Spanish
electric company, has also initiated in Madrid a pilot experience.